How can therapy help you
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as athletic performance, learning differences, depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your performance and relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Why Choose a Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT)
Research studies repeatedly demonstrate the effectiveness of marriage and family therapy in treating the full range of mental and emotional disorders and health problems. Studies also show that clients are highly satisfied with services of Marriage and Family Therapists. Clients report marked improvement in work productivity, co-worker relationships, family relationships, partner relationships, emotional health, overall health, social life, and community involvement. In a recent study, consumers report that MFT's are the mental health professionals they would most likely recommend to friends. Over 98 percent of clients of MFT's report therapy services as good or excellent. (Credit: AAMFT)
Why Choose a Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) who is also a Personal Trainer
We live, perform, achieve and suffer in our bodies. As a Personal Trainer, I am thoroughly familiar with how understanding of onesself can be translated into bodily performance through experiential exercises and training. I help you not only develop the awareness of how your body supports your current feelings and actions, I help you discover how to create and strengthen the desired changes you seek.
Do I really need therapy?
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, marriage, new baby, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions (usually weekly). Read my blog post for more insight into how I practice Therapy.
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What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. You will receive in the first session a written copy of the confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Attorney, etc.), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
If the therapist has reason to suspect that the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
What is an MFT and what can they treat?
The MFT license stands for Registered Marriage & Family Therapist. The license is regulated in California by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. MFT’s are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems. Typically, they broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual to attend to the nature and role of individuals in primary relationship networks, such as marriage and the family. MFTs take a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families (Credit: AAMFT). Despite the misleading title, MFT’s are licensed to perform a broad range of clinical therapy, including, but not limited to, individual therapy, family therapy, child therapy, group therapy, and couples therapy. They are also qualified to diagnose and treat the full range of clinical disorders and issues.
How can I verify Antony’s professional license?
You can verify my license via the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences website.
